The Bath Tubs Get Hotter

Is this a sign of being very afraid? Out-of-town entrants in the Bathtub Classic to be run in the Bay of Islands in May are as cagey about revealing information on their racing tubs as Judith Collins on who she has dinner with in China. John Booker from Whitianga won't even divulge how many tubs he's making especially for the event.

"Do I ask how many pairs of shoes you own?" he asks quizzically when approached for information before adding (perhaps superfluously) that "you never tell your foe the size of your army before battle."

It could be bluster and an old fashioned pre-event psyche-out attempt but he and his fellow tubbers from tip of the Coromandel are arguably the most experienced bathtub racers in the country. Mr Booker has been racing tubs since 2010 and the only thing he will admit is that 'everything' about tub racing is a closely guarded secret.

"You will just have to find out on the day," he says cryptically while fulfilling his own prophesy.

Meanwhile, over in Opua, tub building has commenced in the workshop of Peter Tustian. Well, it will have commenced by the time you read this. And call it virginal innocence in the competitive realms of tubbing but Mr Tustian has absolutely no qualms about exposing his tub to the world, so to speak.

"We have a new outboard motor and the bath is donated by Chesters Bathrooms," he says sounding like a media-savvy sponsorship namedropper before shamefully adding that Fullers Great Sights are the main backer for their entry. Oh, and Northland Spars & Rigging at Opua.

Great Sights? Spars and rigging? Does that mean sails will be included in the design or that half way through the race he'll veer off to look at dolphins and zip through the hole-inthe- rock? Could that mean the tub is disqualified before it has even turned on the tap of competition?

He won't say although he reckons the opposition will be 'frightened' by what the team of four or five (he wasn't sure) from Opua, Russell and Paihia bring out on the day. We'll call that precompetition hyperbole too, because it is.

Their tub is expected to be ready for sea testing by the 16th May, merely eight days before racing commences. Is that enough time for the flying faucet riders?

They are hoping to enter their one tub in three categories. That's provided it finishes the first event and given the attrition rate of around 75 percent in events like the International World Championship in Canada, their chances don't appear high. Then again, unusual things do occur at these events.

The café culture of Paihia is well known but the little seaside resort can now add another aspect to its diverse ambience - not just as a Bay of Islands hub but now hub, club, pub and tub.